Cultivating the Power of Positive Thinking

Positive thinking clearly has its benefits. 

The ability to look on the bright side of life, think constructively and creatively, expect success, be inspired and motivated to accomplish your goals, not giving up, believing in yourself and displaying self esteem and confidence, seeking opportunities and solutions, are certainly to be craved and emulated.

However, often, when one feels down, the words "Think positive!" somehow gives an empty ring.

Especially when it is not easy to do in the midst of a crisis, an unexpected situation, or one in which one has not been able to get out of for a long time.

Thinking positively requires effort to someone who has not been habitually doing this, or whose circumstance does not favor it.

To really cultivate the power of positive thinking involves integrating positive thoughts to create positive habits. It is not enough to think positively for a few moments, and then letting fears and lack of belief enter your mind.

It has to be your predominant mental attitude and be developed into a habit.
It is the result of repeated conscious effort until it becomes a habit. It needs enough practice to become a habit.
Here are a few actions and tips integrate the power of positive thinking into your life.

1.    Surround yourself with positive input in your life
Read an inspiring book or listen to an inspiring audio consistently, preferably daily.
Watch uplifting movies.
Associate yourself with people who think positively.
Engage in some physical activity. Eat healthily.
There is more room for positive attitude when our body feels better.
Attend seminars that force you to take action.
Get a life coach, or coach yourself.

2.    Visualize
Before starting with any plan or action, visualize clearly what you want to be, what you want to do and have.
Visualize it already happening, and visualize the feeling when you've already attained it.

3. Use Auto-suggestions and Affirmations
Au auto-suggestion is a statement made in the present tense, of the kind of person you want to be. It is a powerful thought changing and character building tool.
It influences both the conscious and subconscious mind.
The subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real and imaginary experience. Feeding it with positive suggestions will enable to act as if it is real and translate into reality. Hence, it should not be in the negative. eg I'm not tired, or I'm not weak.

Make a list of your auto-suggestions or affirmations in the present tense.

Examples of autosuggestions can come in the form of statements that

Affirm what you what you are
Usually with an adjective that is positive and energizing,
For example, I am competent, I am energetic , I am joyful, I am responsible, I am grateful, I am organized, I am never late

Affirm what you can be or do
For example, I can succeed, I can win, I can create joy, I can make a difference, I can be a great dad, I love my life, my wife and kids

Affirm what you will do that will include a positive change in your life
For example, I will get better and better every day, I will lose weight by 5lbs every week

Combining these, affirmations can be in short or mini personal mission statements
For example- I am a passionate, caring, inspired risk taker that makes a difference in others lives.

The first time your mind receives an autosuggestion it will usually reject it- because it is an alien thought, contrary to your belief system.

Success will depend on our ability to concentrate and repeat the process. Even if you do not believe what you are saying, or do feel uneasy at first, it is important to continue.

You are feeding your  subconscious mind as you do so.

4. Combine with feelings and emotions
Experience the feeling of it happening and act as if it is so.
Feel exhilarated, happy, excited.

5. Persist and continue for at least 21 days and more

Repeat the affirmation/ autosuggestion at least twice a day- once in the morning and in the evening. The self discipline to finish what one starts is imperative.
It is the key to successful positive thinking and results.
It takes this long of conscious consecutive practice to formulate a habit and store it in the subconscious for it to work effectively in your life.

So that in moments of crisis, when split second decisions need to be made, it is already part of you.

You have become a positive storehouse of thoughts, emotions and actions.

No longer will the statement " think positive" sound useless or empty.

You have filled yourself with the resource and positive storehouse to meet any crisis or negative emotion.

You will have dramatically increased your value, level of happiness and success.

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